Headrest for protecting a hairstyle

ABSTRACT

A headrest for protecting a hairstyle of a user including a base portion and a head-supporting portion extending substantially horizontally from an upper surface of the base portion. The head-supporting portion includes a support surface and at least three finger members that extend substantially vertically from a peripheral edge of the support surface. The first and second finger members are located opposite one another and extend upward past the cheeks of the user. The third finger member extends upward from the distal end of the support surface past the back of the head of the user.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/128,454 filed May 21, 2008, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People often spend large amounts of time and/or money to have their hairstyled in a particular manner. However, sleeping can be a difficult actfor a person after recently having his or her hair styled, particularlyif the person wishes to protect and maintain the recent hair styling.Sleeping on traditional pillows can quickly and easily mess up aperson's hair, thus ruining the new style on which the person may havespent much time and/or money.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for protecting and maintaining a person's hair style while theperson sleeps.

To attain the above object, according to an aspect of the invention,there is provided a headrest for protecting a hairstyle of a userincluding a base portion and a head-supporting portion extendingsubstantially horizontally from an upper surface of the base portion.The head-supporting portion includes a support surface and at leastthree finger members that extend substantially vertically from aperipheral edge of the support surface. The first and second fingermembers are located opposite one another and extend upward past thecheeks of the user. The third finger member extends upward from thedistal end of the support surface past the back of the head of the user.

Preferably, the head-supporting portion is deflectable in relation tothe base portion.

The deflection is preferably achieved by connecting the head-supportingportion to the base portion by at least one spring element.

Preferably, the deflection may also be achieved by portions of theheadrest comprising a material that permits elastic deflection of thehead-supporting portion in relation to the base portion. The material ispreferably a polymer or rubber.

Preferably, the finger members of the head-supporting portion areflexible.

The support surface of the head-supporting portion is preferably shapedto comport with the back of the head of the user, and preferably furthercomprises cushioning material.

Preferably, the head-supporting portion and the base portion areintegrally formed.

The base portion preferably comprises at least two support members and asupportive pillow.

These and other exemplary features and advantages of the presentinvention will become clear from the following description withreference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other exemplary purposes, aspects and advantages willbe better understood from the following detailed description of anexemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1illustrating the flexibility of the finger-like extensions of theinvention.

FIG. 5 shows a user resting her head on the exemplary embodiment shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a user after lifting her head from the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 1 with her hairstyle intact.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-6, thereare shown exemplary embodiments of the apparatus according to thepresent invention.

FIGS. 1-6 show an exemplary embodiment of the headrest 10 for protectingand maintaining a hairstyle. The headrest 10 includes a head-supportingportion 12 and a base portion 14. Preferably, the head-supportingportion 12 and base portion 14 are integrally formed together to embodya unitary apparatus.

The base portion 14 provides a sturdy and durable support for thehead-supporting portion 12. Preferably, the base portion 14 includes atleast two support members 16 a, 16 b and a supportive pillow 18 tosupport the neck and back of the user 24.

The support members 16 a, 16 b maintain the head supporting portion 12at a height above the sleeping surface that is anatomically appropriateand may be designed to maximize the aesthetic appeal of the headrest 10.For example, as shown in the figures, the support members 16 a, 16 b mayhave an oval shape.

The supportive pillow 18 is designed to properly support the neck andback of the user 24 when utilizing the headrest 10. Preferably, as shownin the figures, the supportive pillow is wedge-shaped and tapersupwardly toward the head-supporting portion 12 to improve such support.The supportive pillow 18 may made of any appropriate material.Preferably, the supportive pillow 18 is made of soft and comfortable,yet supportive, material to enhance the comfort of the user 24.

The head-supporting portion 12 extends substantially horizontally froman upper surface of the base portion 14. Preferably, the head-supportingportion 12 is deflectable in relation to the base portion 14 forenhanced comfort and adjustability. For example, the head supportingportion 12 may sit on spring elements integrated into the base portion14 and/or head-supporting portion 12 to allow for movement. Also, by wayof example, portions of the headrest 10 may be made of a bendable,rubber or polymeric material that permits the desired amount elasticdeflection of the head-supporting portion when the headrest 10 is used.

The head-supporting portion 12 provides the necessary support for theuser's head when the headrest 10 is being used. Preferably, the headsupporting portion 12 includes a support surface 20 and at least threefinger members 22 a, 22 b, 22 c extending substantially vertically fromthe peripheral edge of the support surface 20.

The support surface 20 is preferably shaped to comport with the back ofa human head to maximize comfort. The support surface may also includeadditional cushioning to increase the comfort of the user 24.

The finger members 22 a, 22 b, 22 c provide further support for theuser's head and maintain the position of the user's head while theysleep. Two finger members 22 a and 22 b are located opposite one anotherand extend upward past where the user's cheeks would be, in order toprovide lateral support to the user's head. The third finger member 22 cextends from the distal end of the support surface 20 with respect tothe base portion 14 and provides additional support to the back of theuser's head. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, all the finger members 22a, 22 b, 22 c are flexible and enable the device to accommodate andproperly support a wide range of users and hairstyles.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the headrest being utilized by a user 24. Theheadrest 10 is set on a bed or other surface upon which the user 24intends to sleep. The user 24 then lies on her back and places her headinside of the head-supporting portion 12 of the headrest 10. The supportsurface 20 and finger members 22 a, 22 b, 22 c head supporting portion12 gently maintain the user's head is a substantially fixed position,and the support pillow 14 provides support to the user's neck and back.In this manner, the headrest 10 allows the user 24 to sustain acomfortable sleeping position while maintaining the look and style ofher hair.

While the invention has been described in terms of several exemplaryembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

Further, it is noted that, Applicant's intent is to encompassequivalents of all claim elements, even if amended later duringprosecution.

1. A headrest for protecting a hairstyle of a user comprising: a baseportion; a head-supporting portion extending substantially horizontallyfrom an upper surface of said base portion; and said head supportingportion comprising a support surface and at least three finger members,said finger members extending substantially vertically from a peripheraledge of said support surface; wherein a first and second finger memberare located opposite one another and extend upward past the cheeks ofsaid user, and a third finger member extends upward from the distal endof said support surface past the back of the head of said user.
 2. Theheadrest of claim 1, wherein said head-supporting portion is deflectablein relation to said base portion.
 3. The headrest of claim 2, whereinsaid head-supporting portion is connected to said base portion by atleast one spring element.
 4. The headrest of claim 2, wherein portionsof said headrest comprise a material that permits elastic deflection ofthe head-supporting portion in relation to said base portion.
 5. Theheadrest of claim 4, wherein said material comprises a polymer or arubber.
 6. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said finger members areflexible.
 7. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said support surface isshaped to comport with the back of the head of said user.
 8. Theheadrest of claim 1, wherein said support surface further comprisescushioning material.
 9. The headrest of claim 1, wherein saidhead-supporting portion and said base portion are integrally formed. 10.The headrest of claim 1, wherein said base portion comprises at leasttwo support members.
 11. The headrest of claim 1, wherein said baseportion comprises a supportive pillow.